Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Were you injured by a drunk driver in Dallas, Texas? You may be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries, and in some cases, from a party other than just the driver who hit you.

A Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer at Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. can help you pursue every dollar you are owed. Call (972) 550-6818 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. After a Dallas Drunk Driving Accident?

DUI crashes often leave victims with catastrophic injuries and a driver whose insurance coverage falls short of what a victim needs. You need a Dallas car accident attorney who knows how to pursue every available source of compensation on your behalf.

Clients throughout Dallas, TX, trust our personal injury law firm with their car accident cases because:

• We look beyond the drunk driver’s own insurance to identify every party who may share responsibility for your crash
• Our attorneys have completed over 300 trials and arbitrations, making us battle-tested in court and at the negotiating table
• We have a track record that includes over $275 million recovered
• We have earned some of the highest professional honors in the law from organizations like Texas Lawyer Magazine and the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates
• We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to get started

Contact our Dallas office today to schedule a free consultation with a Dallas drunk driving accident attorney who will fight to hold every responsible party accountable.

Texas DUI Laws

Texas law makes it illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher for most adult drivers. Stricter limits apply to other drivers — 0.04% for commercial drivers, and a zero-tolerance standard of 0.02% for drivers under 21. A driver can also be considered legally intoxicated below these limits if alcohol or drugs impaired their ability to safely operate a vehicle.

When a drunk driver causes an accident, an elevated BAC can serve as strong evidence of negligence.

Criminal cases against the drunk driver and your civil injury claim are separate. Even if the driver pleads to a lesser charge or is never criminally prosecuted, you retain the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Who Else Can Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident in Texas?

The drunk driver is not always the only party who can be held responsible for your crash. Under Chapter 2 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (the Texas Dram Shop Act), a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment can be held civilly liable for a car accident if it served alcohol to a patron who was visibly intoxicated and that person later caused a crash.

The person’s intoxication must have been apparent enough to present a clear danger to themselves or others.

This additional liability is important in cases where a drunk driver carries minimal insurance; a dram shop claim can open up a separate source of compensation.

Common Injuries in Dallas Drunk Driving Accidents

Impaired drivers frequently speed, drift across lanes, or fail to brake in time. That’s why it’s not surprising that DUI crashes tend to produce severe injuries.

Victims of Dallas DUI accidents often suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries, which can affect memory, focus, and personality long after the crash
• Spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in partial or complete paralysis
• Fractures requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation
• Severe burns and permanent scarring
• Amputations and crush injuries

Drunk driving crashes regularly result in wrongful death due to the reckless nature of such driving. A wrongful death claim can address losses experienced by surviving family members.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in Texas?

Texas law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for the full range of economic and non-economic losses caused by a drunk driving crash. These compensate for personal and financial losses related to the collision.

Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses, past and future
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In many drunk driving accident cases, Texas law also allows injured victims to pursue exemplary damages against a drunk driver (see Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code). These damages are intended to punish the driver’s conduct rather than compensate you for a specific loss. They can substantially increase the total value of a DUI claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a DUI Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Texas drunk driving accident claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your claim within two years of the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your case also involves a dram shop claim against an establishment that over-served the driver, that claim is generally subject to the same two-year deadline.

Missing either deadline can permanently eliminate your right to pursue compensation, which is why speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after a DUI crash should be your first priority.

Contact a Dallas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable, and drivers must be held to account when they drive intoxicated and cause a crash. Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. is ready to fight for the full compensation and justice your injuries deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Dallas drunk driving accident attorney.